Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Film ·142 of 348
"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr DeMille."
They never said that.
What people say
"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr DeMille."
What was actually said
"All right, Mr DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) — Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Why it stuck
The original begins with "All right" and leads with the name — matching the character's theatrical rhythm. Quoted versions put the action first for snap.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.